Slide1: Yoga and Spiritual Wellness Presented by: Macy Mory


What is Yoga?: What is Yoga? Yoga is an ancient philosophy of life as well as a system of exercises that encourage the union of mind, body, and spirit. Yoga derived from the Sanskrit word meaning “YOKE”, or UNION. Ultimate goal of yoga is to achieve a state of balance and harmony between mind and body.


History of Yoga: History of Yoga Evidence that yoga was practiced as early as 5,000 years ago. Primal drawings walls of caves in the Indus Valley in Northern India.


History Continued: History Continued Yoga introduced to the US in 1893. Hatha Yoga one of the oldest forms of yoga Hatha Yoga is the most common form of yoga practiced in the U.S.


Yoga Language: Yoga Language Asanas Pranayama Sanskrit Prana Chakras Dhyana Hatha Yoga


Benefits of Yoga: Benefits of Yoga Aids in circulation Tones organs Frees breathing Is cleansing Boosts self-esteem Improves muscle tone, flexibility, strength and stamina Lowers blood pressure and cholesterol Reduces stress and tension Improves concentration and creativity Creates Spirituality Lowers fat Stimulates immune system Creates sense of Well-being and calmness


Types of Yoga: Types of Yoga Bhakti Yoga: discipline of love and devotion Dhyana Yoga: discipline of meditation Hatha-Yoga: discipline of force and action Karma Yoga: discipline of self-transcending action Mantra Yoga: discipline of numinous sounds Purna Yoga: discipline of wholeness or integration


Hatha Yoga: Hatha Yoga Places special emphasis on physical postures integrated with Pranayama Allows you to have complete control over mind and body Controls spirit


Things to remember: Things to remember Breathing Control Conscious stretching-no pain should be felt Counter positions or balance-must treat body equally by stretching each side of body equally


Pranayama : Pranayama Inhalation: Chest expands, head up, limbs extended outward, and retain the breath Exhalation: Chest releases the air, in contraction motion


Asana: Asana Moving into the pose Maintaining the pose Coming out of the pose


Yoga and Stress Relief: Yoga and Stress Relief Yoga increases awareness of muscle tension Promotes movement and circulation Cleanses the body with movement and increases circulation to parts of body


Poses for Stress Relief: Poses for Stress Relief Tree Pose Kneeling Pose Child’s Pose Mountain Pose Warrior II Lightning Bolt Bow Pose Upward Facing Dog Half Fish Pose Corpse Pose


Spirituality: Spirituality The realization of the universality of Truth and the experience of bliss. It is an opportunity to realize and become conscious of a Supreme Reality. You've got to live it! One's spiritual fitness is determined the feeling of oneness, the desire to be with the divine all the time and the strength of one's will power.


Spirituality vs. Religion: Spirituality vs. Religion Spirituality is at the core of all religions. However, all religions have forgotten this core and fiction seems to have replaced fact. Religion has come to mean 'blind organized faith' and has become dogmatic and fundamentalist in its views. Spirituality is an one-on-one communication with the Divine, without the influence of any organization or a set of dogmatic views. It is based more on personal experiences rather than the experiences of others.


Spirituality and Yoga: Spirituality and Yoga Yoga is Self-conquest Since the Divine is universal, there is no religion in yoga. There are various philosophical approaches to yoga, but the aspirant is free to choose whatever path he deems fit.


Poses for Spirituality: Poses for Spirituality Bridge Pose Cobra Pose Camel Pose Fish Pose Yoga Mudra Seated Meditation


Chakras: Chakras There are seven Chakras First Chakra Muladhara Second Chakra, Svadhisthana Third Chakra, Manipura Fourth Chakra, Anahata Fifth Chakra, Visuddha Sixth Chakra, Anja Seventh Chakra, Sahasrara


Yoga can be practiced ANYWHERE/ANYTIME: Yoga can be practiced ANYWHERE/ANYTIME Must be comfortable to the yogi Can be practiced in the morning, afternoon, or evening


Further Resources: Further Resources www.yogajournal.com Adamson, E., and Budilovsky, J. (1998). The Complete Idiots Guide to Yoga. New York: Macmillan. The Yoga Studio Yoga@coredcs.com Located across from the river behind JCPenney parking lot